When two fishing fans from contrasting backgrounds team up, you’re bound to catch something amazing. That’s exactly what happened when Wats Littman ‘26, a junior from Montana, with a deep love for fly fishing, joined with James Morrison ‘26, a junior from Bermuda who enjoys its blue waters. Together, they’ve brought their passion for the outdoors, as well as their very different fishing styles, to Taft, leading our school’s very own fishing club.
Helping them run the club is Mr. Mullane, one of Taft’s Spanish teachers and Boys Varsity Soccer coaches. Out of the faculty, Mr. Mullane might just be their best choice for a teacher representative, as he himself is a seasoned fisherman, and both James and Wats are teammates on Boys Varsity Soccer.
When asked about his favorite part of the club, Wats didn’t hesitate – he just enjoys being on the water. That’s all there is to it. Whether it’s a river in the woods or Potter’s Pond, he finds joy in casting a line. Fishing ranks with soccer and above just about everything else in his life, which makes him a natural and passionate co-leader of the club. While he does not plan on starting a fishing club in college, Wats says fishing will always be an important part of who he is.
Joining the club itself, however, isn’t as easy as it may seem. At first, I thought that the Fishing Club was laid back and stuck to the local spots, like Potters Pond, and that anyone who liked to fish could join in. In reality, there is a whole other tier of the Fishing Club that is much more exclusive. The club has an open application, which narrows the pool to five or six fishermen and fisherwomen to respect the importance of maintaining etiquette on the river.
The biggest trip the club has taken so far was to the Housatonic River – about a 30 minute drive from Taft. Led by Mr. Mullane, the group found a successful, quiet spot to spend the day, catching as many fish as possible. Wats said it was a great experience that he will remember throughout his time at Taft.
When fishing in the pond, Wats says that he most often catches bass, the largest being about 1-2 pounds, and occasionally a bluegill. However, there was one time he caught a carp. And before you ask… Yes. Wats has reeled in a lost chair from Jig Pat. The pond is a reliable and convenient spot, but when he is looking for something special, then he adventures off campus.
Finally, during our interview, I was lucky enough to have received some golden fishing advice from Wats. He told me the best ways to catch a fish in the pond were to spin fish and to use a random lure you might just find at the bottom of your tackle box. He also shared that on parents weekend he and James ventured to Walmart to pick up new lures. Per his advice, my friend Harry Woodhouse ‘28 and I set out to put his words to the test, and traveled to the Jig Pat, where, after about 15 minutes of casting, Harry hooked and reeled in a 1-2 pound Largemouth Bass.
The Fishing Club may be small in size, but its impact reaches far. Thanks to Wats, James, and Mr. Mullane, fishing has become a staple in the lives of many during the Spring at Taft. It’s not just about the catch – it’s about the stories, the journeys, the walks to Jig Pat with rods waving through the halls, and the quiet times by the water that give students a break from the busy Taft life. There is something special about the way that the club brings students together. Whether you’ve been fishing your whole life or have never touched a rod, Wats and James make sure everyone feels welcome.